Wednesday, November 23, 2016

AirSelfie Launches Best Pocket-Sized Flying Camera for Smartphones

Armed
with a $3M investment, AirSelfie debuted on Kickstarter November 17 to
give fans early access to the first pocket-sized flying camera;
pre-orders will be delivered March 2017

LONDON - Wednesday, November 23rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS
WIRE)-- AirSelfie has announced the launch of the first pocket-sized
flying camera, the only portable flying camera that integrates with
smartphones. Comprised of four powerful propellers and a 5-megapixel
video camera, AirSelfie is smaller than a smartphone and can fly
vertically up to 66 feet, allowing users to take aerial selfies of
themselves and their friends. The device connects to the most popular
smartphones, including iPhone (6, 6s, 7 and 7 Plus), Huawei P9, Google
Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. The device includes self-generated
WiFi and comes equipped with a rechargeable battery through a cell phone
case, as well as the option to purchase an external power bank.
Additionally, a vibration-absorber system and in-flight stability
systems guarantee stable, clear, flowing images.

AirSelfie is available for pre-order via Kickstarter and the deliveries will start from March 2017.

“Our
team of 60 seasoned technology professionals and enthusiasts
researched, designed and created a flying camera that exceeds all
current standards,” said Edoardo Stroppiana, co-founder of AirSelfie.
“We saw an increasing need for a device that goes beyond a selfie stick,
allowing users to take pictures from all angles, and we’re excited to
introduce AirSelfie to Millennials and consumers around the world. It
sets a completely new bar for the market.”

With AirSelfie, users can:

Take group selfies and family photos from up to 66 feet away, capturing both people and panoramas
Take indoor and outdoor aerial photos of subjects and locations that
would otherwise be unreachable (e.g. monuments and stadiums during
sporting events) Take videos from perspectives that were formerly impossible Use the device as a monitoring camera (when the device is not flying and is connected to a power source) Use the video as a work tool (for example, time-lapse shots of company event setups)

AirSelfie’s
5-megapixel video camera and four powerful propellers are enclosed in
an Italian-designed, stylish and lightweight (52g) aluminum case that
measures 3.72 x 2.65 x 0.42 inches – smaller than a smartphone. The
device attaches to users’ smartphones using a special cover available
for iPhone and Samsung, which contains a battery that can recharge
AirSelfie in just 30 minutes. Backers can also purchase an external
power bank which guarantees up to 20 full charges and allows those
without a compatible phone to use and charge AirSelfie.

How it works

One
of the key differentiating—and appealing—features of AirSelfie is its
ease of use. To activate AirSelfie, the user simply removes it from its
case and turns it on. The device connects automatically to smartphones
via WiFi—the flying camera creates the WiFi (2.4GHz) network itself and
it is immediately ready for take-off.

AirSelfie users must simply
download the free iOS and Android app in order to control the device’s
movements through three different flight modes. AirSelfie can be
returned to its departure point either manually or automatically. When
users are finished using the device, it’s easy to return it to its
landing spot—simply press the button labelled “slide to land” and
AirSelfie descends and turns off. Users can also directly reposition the
device by hand with no risk whatsoever of damaging it or themselves.

Using
the “selfie delay timer” function, users can take timed photos, giving
them up to 10 seconds to get into position and hide their smartphone so
that it doesn’t appear in photos. Users can also take up to eight
consecutive shots. AirSelfie’s technology integrates directly with
social media, making it easy to post photos and videos directly to
users’ accounts.

AirSelfie comes equipped with a 4 GB micro SD memory card and a 260mAh 7.4v battery that enables three minutes of flight time.

AirSelfie on Kickstarter

To
give consumers a special first look at AirSelfie, the company launched a
Kickstarter campaign on November 17, 2016. Consumers can purchase
AirSelfie via the Kickstarter website or Kickstarter app. As an added
incentive, the first 1,000 supporters have the option of becoming
AirSelfie Ambassadors by pre-ordering the first version of the flying
camera at the discounted price of $199; the regular retail price will be
$300. Additionally, the power bank will be available as a standalone
product for $69 or as part of the AirSelfie package for $246. The power
bank will be delivered in April.

Production of the gadget has
begun once the threshold of $50,000 has been reached, in just over 2
days from the beginning of the campaign. After the first 1,000
AirSelfies have sold, the company will produce another 2,000 models,
which will be available for the reduced price of $249. Consumers will
also be able to purchase two AirSelfies for the price of $478. The first
3,000 pre-orders will be delivered in March of 2017, with the rest,
including the power bank packages, being delivered in April of 2017.

“People
have the impression that camera drones are costly, difficult to operate
and unwieldy,” added Stroppiana. “AirSelfie redefines the space with a
device that's small, light and easy to use. This Kickstarter campaign
will enable the launch of a large-scale AirSelfie production in a matter
of months. We have succeeded in developing a great product, and we
can’t wait to share it with our growing base of AirSelfie enthusiasts.”

In
2017, AirSelfie will hit the market for $300. It will be available in
other colors and will be compatible with additional smartphone models.

For additional information and other opportunities to support the project, visit the AirSelfie Kickstarter page.

About AirSelfie

AirSelfie
is the brainchild of Italian entrepreneur Edoardo Stroppiana, who
helped form the British company AirSelfie Holdings Ltd. in 2016.